How do you live alone?

[blackribbon]

I haven't lived alone since I was in my twenties. It will be at least another year but the idea of being alone has been hanging over me. I like it when my kids are busy for a couple days and I have the house to myself but I don't like cooking for us three, I don't really know what I will do when it is just me. Who all lives alone and how do you deal with the aloneness?

 

[timewerx]

Hobbies and crafts helped kept me sane. Also learning new things to do.

Some comedy films illustrate how one character have managed to isolate themselves accidentally by their own incompetence and passed their time by doing incredible feats of learning and artwork.

Many thinks that's very hilarious but for me, that's exactly what I did and it works quite well!

 

[Toro]

Lots and lots of TV shows, just having the TV on for the sounds.... and having a pet.

Also pick up hobbies, just keep your mind and body occupied, if you've got enough to do you wont realize you're lonely (or its at least minimized).

 

[blackribbon]

Sometimes I wonder about taking in an older foster child...

 

[Basil the Great]

Watching the news, mostly on CNN, has given me comfort for decades. I also have hobbies. Many recommend pets, but they are not for me.

 

[salt-n-light]

I haven't lived alone since I was in my twenties. It will be at least another year but the idTrea of being alone has been hanging over me. I like it when my kids are busy for a couple days and I have the house to myself but I don't like cooking for us three, I don't really know what I will do when it is just me. Who all lives alone and how do you deal with the aloneness?

You take it as an opportunity to do and accomplish things you weren't able to when you are around your kids, or didnt have time to. Maybe you wanted to call a family member, or maybe you had to cancel going out, or you were pondering on learning a new skill, or volunteering, or maybe you wanted to spend more time with God and maybe always had to sit out of bible study. Make a list of those things and then just do them.

Also if you just don't want to be alone, pets are good, but also making events like a little get together in your home.

 

[Toro]

Sometimes I wonder about taking in an older foster child...

If you have the means then absolutely that is another way to go.

 

[CodyFaith]

.

 

[Niels]

A lot depends how you look at it.

 

[Archer_on_Fire]

When my Mom worked full time I had the house to myself so I guess that kind of counts.

If it wasn't too hot I went outside or tried to keep myself busy by reading or doing crafts. It only worked for so long before I started to get lonely.

I don't know how people can do it.

 

[Applekrate]

I haven't lived alone since I was in my twenties. It will be at least another year but the idea of being alone has been hanging over me. I like it when my kids are busy for a couple days and I have the house to myself but I don't like cooking for us three, I don't really know what I will do when it is just me. Who all lives alone and how do you deal with the aloneness?

I think we are all creatures of habit. If we are used to living with others, that would be the preference for most.
When I first moved out, had my own apt and loved it. Later, was a room mate with another friend. So, have done both and each has their pros and cons. When I bought my home in my mid 20s, I rented out the other bedrooms. This made living costs much less and provided more money to play. Did that for some time, again, it has its pluses and minuses.
Now, have lived alone for sometime. When I was younger , could never do that. Now, it does not bother me a bit. Am guessing a lot of it has to do with how secure one is with ones self. Am very secure with myself now. Probably is another reason why I am single. I like my freedom and do what I want, when I want for the most part. But, we are all different.
I am not lonely at all. Have plenty of friends and aquaintences to hang with when needed. Am happy on my own. It's 'grown up'.
When I was younger and learned of someone living alone or doing things alone, I would feel sorry for them. I guess I did not know better as it is no big deal.

 

[ImAllLikeOkWaitWat]

Sometimes I wonder about taking in an older foster child...

I'm available for adoption.

 

[ImAllLikeOkWaitWat]

I think with the time alone you should be journaling daily. It's important for our sanity to be able to articulate how our life is and what we are trying to do to make it better. I don't know if you already do this or not but if so then as others have said do something that you always wanted to do but never could with a full household.

 

[Sketcher]

Cooking for one will probably be an adjustment. Recipes all seem to be for feeding 3-4 people unless you want to break measurements down to the point where they don't make sense. Also, I watch how much of what food I buy so it doesn't go bad, and that's not enough sometimes. My work-around is to (ideally) cook once at the beginning of the week, and once again in the middle of the week, and use the leftovers for lunches.

When I'm not doing that or laundry or posting on here, there's a good chance I'm playing a game. That's an easy way to spend 2-3 hours not thinking about being alone, its a good distraction. Since I have family in the area, I can visit them if needed.

 

[S.O.J.I.A.]

I did for 3 years. it was awesome!

 

[Elliewaves]

Learn to be comfortable with yourself and to enjoy being alone. Read. Learn new hobbies. Make new friends or deepen your old friendships.

 

[blackribbon]

I think with the time alone you should be journaling daily. It's important for our sanity to be able to articulate how our life is and what we are trying to do to make it better. I don't know if you already do this or not but if so then as others have said do something that you always wanted to do but never could with a full household.

Good suggestion but I hate journaling. I WISH I could journal but I can't.

 

[dayhiker]

I get out to meet people quite often .. dancing is one. Then I can go home or stay home and be along when I want as well.

 

[blackribbon]

I get out to meet people quite often .. dancing is one. Then I can go home or stay home and be along when I want as well.

At the end of the day, I will still be alone whether I want to or not. It doesn't matter what I do with the rest of my time. It was nice once a long time ago because it was a sign I was independent and grown up. Now it will just be a sign that I am old and alone. But I am old enough that I don't think I want to try to mesh my adult ways with a roommate's habits...that is why being alone the first time was so nice.
I guess I don't need to worry about it for the time being though.

 

[SarahsKnight]

like it when my kids are busy for a couple days and I have the house to myself but I don't like cooking for us three, I don't really know what I will do when it is just me. Who all lives alone and how do you deal with the aloneness?

I will keep it simple. I do live alone again now after three years living in my mother's house. At first it was a bit painful, but after a couple of months that have now passed I feel I am used to being alone again. There are things I like about it, being alone, and things I feel I will eventually miss out on and regret. If I ever feel pain upon being alone, at least so far in the majority of the last ten years that I have been alone, a bit of prayer seemed to make me feel better about my situation by the next day - having no one to go home to. I intend no sexism - at least not malevolently - when I say this, but, I imagine for many women, more so than men in general, that there is greater pain in living alone and having no spouse, children, or relatives at all to be around and take care of in some way.